Pasquesi Blog

Frequently Asked Questions about Mums

Will the mums I purchase in autumn come back in spring? Read more about hardy mums...

FAQ ABOUT MUMS

1. Are these hardy mums? I planted mine in the ground last fall but they didn’t come back this spring.

Yes, garden mums (not florist mums) sold at Pasquesi are hardy in Zone 5. However, mums planted in the fall rarely survive the winter because they are unable to sufficiently root to avoid heaving out of the ground when temperatures dip below freezing.

For most mums to be truly hardy, they need time to establish their roots. This means they are best planted in the spring when they are not flowering. Since mums are generally not available for purchase in the spring, here are a couple tips for helping them survive during the winter.

Don’t prune mums back after frost has turned them brown. Leaving the foliage on the plants until spring gives the roots and crown of the plant extra protection.

Heavily mulch your mums or move them to a more protected spot in the garden and apply mulch. Use straw, shredded hardwood or compost to mulch.

As soon as the weather warms up in the spring, remove the mulch to allow new shoots to grow.

2. The mums I bought are full of buds but they’re not blooming. Why?

Mums are photoperiodic plants that require long dark nights to bloom. Make sure your mums are not planted or potted near street lights, porch lights or security lamps that go on during the night. Also make sure your mums are getting enough sun during the day. They need at least six hours of direct sunlight every day to produce blooms.

Take care not to overwater your mums as soggy soil can prevent them from flowering and cause root rot. Signs of overwatering include yellow leaves that turn black and fall off. Keep mums evenly watered to ensure the best flowering.